This Day in Horror: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) Premiered
Alyse Wax
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On this day in 1925: Phantom of the Opera premiered.
The first film version of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel tells the story of a deformed man who “haunts” an opera house in an attempt to turn the woman he secretly loves into a star.
The production was almost as troubled as the phantom in the story. Star Lon Chaney did not get along with director Rupert Julian. Things got so bad that at some point, Chaney stopped taking direction from Julian all together and directed himself. The film was screened in January of 1925, but it was decided that reshoots were needed.
Edward Sedgwick was brought in to reshoot most of the film, turning it from a Gothic melodrama to a “romantic comedy with action elements.” This version was booed off the screen during an April screening.
The third and final version of the film incorporated scenes from both directors, though notably, most of Julian’s content was put back in.
Categorized:News This Day in Horror
